It was going so well...

[bcc]

Horrible ride home from work, 20-25mph headwind all the way, and it started raining just as I left. If that wasn't enough, about halfway home I started to notice my front wheel 'pulling' to one side while coasting, and there seems to be a distinct wobble.

After limping back home slowly, it seems there's 2 very loose spokes. They don't seem broken, but the nipples feel loose. It's still pretty grim outside and we're going out tonight, so I probably won't get to have a proper look until after work tomorrow.

Assuming the rims are ok, do you thing it's worth having a go at truing the wheel myself or should I give in and get the LBS to have a look?

[lil brown bat]

Do you know how to true a wheel? Ever done it before? It might be worth a try anyway, what's the worst you can do? (mess it up and ride on it and wreck your wheel, I suppose...)

Anyway, look at it this way, might as well have all your suck happen in one day.

[CACycling]

Go for it! With a little patience you should be able to get it close. Just make small adjustments then recheck. Assuming you have rim brakes, use them to guage your trueness.

[bcc]

Having had another look once the weather cleared up it seems all is ok, but one of the nipples was loose enough I could turn it by hand (and it did tighten up ok). I'd need a proper spoke wrench so will be visiting the LBS anyway, so I'll get them to sort it out this time.

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll pick up a wrench while I'm there and have a go next time, I think :)

[breadbin]

That happeneed me last week. The ride into work was perfect, really sunny and not much wind and then got drenched on the way home with a headwind too. Got a bit of a chill after that and still have the sore throat to show for it. I actually broke 2 spokes. I was standing at the kerb waiting to fly across the road and i heard a big pop and the wheel started wobbling. I was able to true it myself after i put the new ones in. Not quite perfect but doable:) I'm sure sheldon brown has some infor regarding truing wheels.

[bcc]

I think it's going to be a worthwhile skill to learn - maybe on a spare set of wheels first though...

LBS sorted it - 8 quid (about $16). I've just been out for a short ride to check it and managed to pursuade my wife to come too, which was nice. Leisurely but fun. Need to get her a decent bike soon though - the drive train on hers appears to be made of cheese, and the frame's not much better. We did pick it up for 99p ($2) during harder times last year as a 'needs work' catalogue return bargain, and it only needed new brake cables and a puncture fixing, but I'm not convinced it's worth spending any more money on...

Not sure I'll get her on the forums though :)

One cool thing I did discover today is that one of our LBSs regularly runs a course on wheelbuilding. I'm almost tempted...

[bautieri]

If you get on youtube you can find good information on truing wheels from experts exchange. They actually have a lot of helpful videos, check it out sometime.

Glad to hear things are better and your rolling along again.

[bcc]

That's handy to know, thanks.